Slamnation Directed by Paul Devlin, 1998

Before Russell Simmons’ highly acclaimed HBO series Def Poetry Jam, SLAMNATION captured the cutthroat world of spoken-word poetry with an “energy that pulses, snaps and crackles” (Chicago Tribune).

Beginning in New York City at the Nuyorican Poets Café’s Grand Slam tournament, the film follows slam champion Saul Williams and three other top poets — Beau Sia, Mums the Schemer, and Jessica Care Moore — as they journey to the annual National Poetry Slam, the Super Bowl of spoken-word poetry. Tensions run high as they join dozens of spoken-word artists from across the nation to compete for the championship-and the cash prize. Judges, chosen randomly from the audience, score poets on a scale from 0 to 10. The drama unfolds as rivalries are revealed and controversies arise, underscoring larger questions of art versus ego and self-expression versus self-advancement.

Produced and directed by Emmy award-winner Paul Devlin (Power Trip), this two-disc set includes the television spin-off Slammin’ plus hours of uncensored bonus performances. SLAMNATION will expose you to the raw energy and sheer talent of some of the greatest performance poets in the world.